Chicago has always been a musical hot bed, seems as of late the city is on fire. Being a recent Chi-town native, in the year and some change that i’ve been away, the hip-hop scene is popping OFF. Maybe when you’re away you just notice what you miss a bit more and don’t take it all for granted. Anyway, say hello to Yea Big and Kid Static – this sh** is dope. I’m a big fan of Pharcyde, Plastic Little, Big and Kid kinda fit in that same vein, intelligent lyrics, fun party jamz, with a little bit of sexy. Nothing too heavy (except maybe the mayo?!) No one’s trying to take themselves too seriously, or to tell you how dope they are, they’re just straight up dropping the flow. Their beats are dope, glitchy, forward thinking, futuristic, catchy, and well produced, I would certainly be bobbin’ my head, and have a hand (maybe 2!) In the air when I heard a Yea Big and Kid Static tune dropped in the club.

Hot on the heels of their self titled debut album, Yea Big + Kid Static drop the tune “The Life Here”. Along with the track – their first video, an homage to the town they call home. The video contains footage of more Chicago landmarks than Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and it’s just as memorable to boot. Some of the locations that should be familiar to any Chicagoan include: Comiskey Park, Edgewater, Evanston, Garfield Park, Gold Coast, Homan and Jackson Avenues, Humboldt Park, Jefferson Park, Lincoln Park, McCormick Place, The “Magnificent Mile,” “The Bean,” South Shore Cultural Center, West Loop, Wicker Park, Senn High School (w/ Yea Big’s dog Miso) and The “El.” Not bad for a band on a budget! (personal note – holla, holla, holla!)

In addition, Yea Big and Kid Static released an extremely limited edition three-inch CD version of the track “Eatchyo Samwich” and it’s now available as part of the “Three Inches To Paradise” series available from the Fuck Me Stupid Mountain Princess Recording Collective. The CD comes complete with an outstanding sandwich-shaped insert – white, wheat or rye. Damn, makes me want one of each, that’s some collectors shit, yo!

Yea Big and Kid Static – Eatchyo Samwich

Yea Big and Kid Static – Duck Mother Fuckers

More about Yea Big + Kid Static

Yea Big: Yea Big (Stefen Robinson) is a detail obsessed mad scientist of the mix reared on Ravi Shankar, bluegrass and Motown. He released his first full length CD, The Wind That Blows The Robot’s Arms, in 2006 on Chicago’s Jib Door label to much confusion and praise. One dude called The Wind “an ADD trip through instrumental spaz-hop”. Yea Big has done remixes for Minneapolis avant-hip hop outfit Kill The Vultures, the 12 Apostles label, Illegal Art (Girl Talk), and continues to produce tour only mash-up and remix EP’s, the first two of which feature The Mae-Shi and Rapider Than Horsepower. He is also a part-time member of the Illegal Art group, Oh Astro.

Kid Static: Producing and emceeing since childhood, native South Side Chicagoan Kid Static started off at the green age of 12-years-old, making frenetic and glitchy chiptunes. Years later, he gained local recognition as the front man for the defunct instrumental hip-hop group, The Cankles, whose much lauded Goddamn!! dropped in 2005 along with Static’s privately issued solo debut Have You Seen This Man? Stunt double by trade, Static is also an avid enthusiast of that mad French urban import parkour. No doubt, these on and off screen antics contribute heavily to Static’s sci fi, action obsessed narrative wordplay.

The Union: In fall 2005, Yea Big took a beating on one of Chicago’s largest hip hop message boards for reasons no one really remembers too well these days. Static watched as the crossfire obliterated this unheard of deejay and, after checking out some of his music online, invited Yea Big to collaborate with him. Drawn to Big’s atom splitting beats, Static says, “he’s doing the music I always heard in my head”. For his part, Yea Big, was mesmerized with Static’s presence. “His voice has an energy and grit. His phrasing, texture and flow did it for me.”

The Present: Over the last two years of collaborating together, Static and Big have played for Michigan meth farmers, cape cod yacht rockers, snacked on cheesesteaks behind the backs of Philly vegans and played grabass and smacked hi-fives with each and every one of them. Because in the world of high misadventure of Yea Big and Kid Static, the odd man out is always in.